used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was simply a collection of a dozen or more families who were scattered over an immense country, the nearest neighbors living three days’ journey from each other.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
anew
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The “settlement” that Mack was so anxious to reach proved to be no settlement at all, as the boys understood the meaning of the word.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was simply a collection of a dozen or more families who were scattered over an immense country, the nearest neighbors living three days’ journey from each other.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
eagerly desirous
From this reading The “settlement” that Mack was so anxious to reach proved to be no settlement at all, as the boys understood the meaning of the word.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The “settlement” that Mack was so anxious to reach proved to be no settlement at all, as the boys understood the meaning of the word.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The “settlement” that Mack was so anxious to reach proved to be no settlement at all, as the boys understood the meaning of the word.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The “settlement” that Mack was so anxious to reach proved to be no settlement at all, as the boys understood the meaning of the word.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
BoersnounUS /bɔːrz/
plural of “boer” — a white native of Cape Province who is a descendant of Dutch settlers and who speaks Afrikaans
From this reading They had seen enough of the Boers by this time to learn something of their customs.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The “settlement” that Mack was so anxious to reach proved to be no settlement at all, as the boys understood the meaning of the word.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They had seen enough of the Boers by this time to learn something of their customs.
domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
a formal event performed on a special occasion
From this reading One of these customs was, that every traveller must be cordially greeted at the door, presented to each member of the family in turn, and invited to dinner; and this farmer was the first one who neglected this ceremony.
collectionnounUS /kəˈlekʃən/
several things grouped together or considered as a whole
From this reading It was simply a collection of a dozen or more families who were scattered over an immense country, the nearest neighbors living three days’ journey from each other.
cordiallyadverbUS /ˈkɔːrdʒəli/
in a hearty manner
From this reading One of these customs was, that every traveller must be cordially greeted at the door, presented to each member of the family in turn, and invited to dinner; and this farmer was the first one who neglected this ceremony.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading It was simply a collection of a dozen or more families who were scattered over an immense country, the nearest neighbors living three days’ journey from each other.
customsnounUS /ˈkʌstəmz/
money collected under a tariff
From this reading They had seen enough of the Boers by this time to learn something of their customs.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading It was simply a collection of a dozen or more families who were scattered over an immense country, the nearest neighbors living three days’ journey from each other.
made known or openly avowed
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
greatly pleased
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading One of these customs was, that every traveller must be cordially greeted at the door, presented to each member of the family in turn, and invited to dinner; and this farmer was the first one who neglected this ceremony.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading One of these customs was, that every traveller must be cordially greeted at the door, presented to each member of the family in turn, and invited to dinner; and this farmer was the first one who neglected this ceremony.
doubtfuladjectiveUS /ˈdaʊtfəl/
open to doubt or suspicion
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading It was simply a collection of a dozen or more families who were scattered over an immense country, the nearest neighbors living three days’ journey from each other.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading It was simply a collection of a dozen or more families who were scattered over an immense country, the nearest neighbors living three days’ journey from each other.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading They had seen enough of the Boers by this time to learn something of their customs.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading One of these customs was, that every traveller must be cordially greeted at the door, presented to each member of the family in turn, and invited to dinner; and this farmer was the first one who neglected this ceremony.
plural of “family” — a social unit living together
From this reading It was simply a collection of a dozen or more families who were scattered over an immense country, the nearest neighbors living three days’ journey from each other.
a social unit living together
From this reading One of these customs was, that every traveller must be cordially greeted at the door, presented to each member of the family in turn, and invited to dinner; and this farmer was the first one who neglected this ceremony.
a person who operates a farm
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
farmhousenounUS /ˈfɑːrmhaʊs/
house for a farmer and family
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
feedingnounUS /ˈfiːdɪŋ/
the act of consuming food
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was simply a collection of a dozen or more families who were scattered over an immense country, the nearest neighbors living three days’ journey from each other.
past form of “greet” — express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading One of these customs was, that every traveller must be cordially greeted at the door, presented to each member of the family in turn, and invited to dinner; and this farmer was the first one who neglected this ceremony.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading It was simply a collection of a dozen or more families who were scattered over an immense country, the nearest neighbors living three days’ journey from each other.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading One of these customs was, that every traveller must be cordially greeted at the door, presented to each member of the family in turn, and invited to dinner; and this farmer was the first one who neglected this ceremony.
inspanverb
attach a yoke or harness to
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of
From this reading One of these customs was, that every traveller must be cordially greeted at the door, presented to each member of the family in turn, and invited to dinner; and this farmer was the first one who neglected this ceremony.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was simply a collection of a dozen or more families who were scattered over an immense country, the nearest neighbors living three days’ journey from each other.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading It was simply a collection of a dozen or more families who were scattered over an immense country, the nearest neighbors living three days’ journey from each other.
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading They had seen enough of the Boers by this time to learn something of their customs.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading It was simply a collection of a dozen or more families who were scattered over an immense country, the nearest neighbors living three days’ journey from each other.
MacknounUS /mæk/
a waterproof raincoat made of rubberized fabric
From this reading The “settlement” that Mack was so anxious to reach proved to be no settlement at all, as the boys understood the meaning of the word.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading The “settlement” that Mack was so anxious to reach proved to be no settlement at all, as the boys understood the meaning of the word.
one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading One of these customs was, that every traveller must be cordially greeted at the door, presented to each member of the family in turn, and invited to dinner; and this farmer was the first one who neglected this ceremony.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It was simply a collection of a dozen or more families who were scattered over an immense country, the nearest neighbors living three days’ journey from each other.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading One of these customs was, that every traveller must be cordially greeted at the door, presented to each member of the family in turn, and invited to dinner; and this farmer was the first one who neglected this ceremony.
(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance
From this reading It was simply a collection of a dozen or more families who were scattered over an immense country, the nearest neighbors living three days’ journey from each other.
neglectedadjectiveUS /nəˈɡlektəd/
disregarded
From this reading One of these customs was, that every traveller must be cordially greeted at the door, presented to each member of the family in turn, and invited to dinner; and this farmer was the first one who neglected this ceremony.
neighborsnounUS /ˈneɪbərz/
plural of “neighbor” — a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading It was simply a collection of a dozen or more families who were scattered over an immense country, the nearest neighbors living three days’ journey from each other.
not any; not one
From this reading The “settlement” that Mack was so anxious to reach proved to be no settlement at all, as the boys understood the meaning of the word.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The “settlement” that Mack was so anxious to reach proved to be no settlement at all, as the boys understood the meaning of the word.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was simply a collection of a dozen or more families who were scattered over an immense country, the nearest neighbors living three days’ journey from each other.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading It was simply a collection of a dozen or more families who were scattered over an immense country, the nearest neighbors living three days’ journey from each other.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It was simply a collection of a dozen or more families who were scattered over an immense country, the nearest neighbors living three days’ journey from each other.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading One of these customs was, that every traveller must be cordially greeted at the door, presented to each member of the family in turn, and invited to dinner; and this farmer was the first one who neglected this ceremony.
established beyond doubt
From this reading The “settlement” that Mack was so anxious to reach proved to be no settlement at all, as the boys understood the meaning of the word.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading The “settlement” that Mack was so anxious to reach proved to be no settlement at all, as the boys understood the meaning of the word.
receptionnounUS /rɪˈsepʃən/
the manner in which something is greeted
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space
From this reading It was simply a collection of a dozen or more families who were scattered over an immense country, the nearest neighbors living three days’ journey from each other.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading They had seen enough of the Boers by this time to learn something of their customs.
settlementnounUS /ˈsetəlmənt/
a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government
From this reading The “settlement” that Mack was so anxious to reach proved to be no settlement at all, as the boys understood the meaning of the word.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
and nothing more
From this reading It was simply a collection of a dozen or more families who were scattered over an immense country, the nearest neighbors living three days’ journey from each other.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The “settlement” that Mack was so anxious to reach proved to be no settlement at all, as the boys understood the meaning of the word.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading They had seen enough of the Boers by this time to learn something of their customs.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The “settlement” that Mack was so anxious to reach proved to be no settlement at all, as the boys understood the meaning of the word.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The “settlement” that Mack was so anxious to reach proved to be no settlement at all, as the boys understood the meaning of the word.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They had seen enough of the Boers by this time to learn something of their customs.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading One of these customs was, that every traveller must be cordially greeted at the door, presented to each member of the family in turn, and invited to dinner; and this farmer was the first one who neglected this ceremony.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading They had seen enough of the Boers by this time to learn something of their customs.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading It was simply a collection of a dozen or more families who were scattered over an immense country, the nearest neighbors living three days’ journey from each other.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading They had seen enough of the Boers by this time to learn something of their customs.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The “settlement” that Mack was so anxious to reach proved to be no settlement at all, as the boys understood the meaning of the word.
tradedverbUS /ˈtreɪdɪd/
past form of “trade” — engage in the trade of
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
travellernounUS /ˈtrævələr/
a person who changes location
From this reading One of these customs was, that every traveller must be cordially greeted at the door, presented to each member of the family in turn, and invited to dinner; and this farmer was the first one who neglected this ceremony.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading One of these customs was, that every traveller must be cordially greeted at the door, presented to each member of the family in turn, and invited to dinner; and this farmer was the first one who neglected this ceremony.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading The “settlement” that Mack was so anxious to reach proved to be no settlement at all, as the boys understood the meaning of the word.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The “settlement” that Mack was so anxious to reach proved to be no settlement at all, as the boys understood the meaning of the word.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was simply a collection of a dozen or more families who were scattered over an immense country, the nearest neighbors living three days’ journey from each other.
which person or people
From this reading It was simply a collection of a dozen or more families who were scattered over an immense country, the nearest neighbors living three days’ journey from each other.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading The “settlement” that Mack was so anxious to reach proved to be no settlement at all, as the boys understood the meaning of the word.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading They arrived at the first farmhouse one bright afternoon, and the sight of the cattle feeding about it delighted Mack, who declared that he would not inspan again until he had traded for a dozen or fifteen of the best of them; but the reception they met from the farmer himself, made the boys a little doubtful on that point.
